Cultural Geography of Kufa in Nahj al-Balaghah (The Peak of Eloquence)

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Assistant Professor of the Department of Quranic and Hadith Sciences, Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Cultural geography is one of the branches of human geography that examines the reasons for cultural differences and human values in various cultural regions. This paper explores the nature, theoretical foundations, and methodological aspects of the cultural geography of the city of Kufa during the era of Imam Ali. This research aims to analyze and study Kufa during the time of Imam Ali and its key role in the events of subsequent years. Kufa was one of the most influential cities in terms of its geographical location, population, and ethnography. The sermons and letters of Imam Ali regarding this city support the aforementioned claim and demonstrate that Kufa was initially established to be the center of government and rule. Due to cultural differences with other neighboring cities, it had numerous subcultures and, psychologically, its people were unstable and volatile. However, at the same time, it was considered a religious city in terms of its urban model and continues to play a central role. The research methodology employed is analytical-descriptive, utilizing various library resources and software.

Keywords

References

  1. Abul-Qasimi, Mohammad Javad, Shinakht -e- Farhang (Understanding Culture), Tehran: Arsh -e- Pajooh, 1385 SH / 2006 CE.
  2. Ameli, Saeed Reza, “Old and New Cultural Identities: Decoding Civilization and Traditional-Modern, National-Transcendent Architecture,” Sadiq Quarterly, Imam Sadiq University, No. 30, 1385 SH / 2006 CE.
  3. Azdi al-Kufi, Lut bin Yahya bin Sa'id, Tarikh Abi Makhnaf (The History of Abu Makhnaf), Edited by Kamal Salman al-Jibouri, Beirut: Dar al-Mahajjah al-Bayda' and Dar al-Rasul al-Akram, 1419 AH.
  4. Baladhuri, Ahmad bin Yahya, Ansab al-Ashraf (Genealogies of the Nobles), Edited by Mohammad Hamidullah, Egypt: Dar al-Ma'arif, 1959 CE.
  5. Baraqi Najafi, Seyyed Hossein, Tarikh al-Kufah (The History of Kufa), Edited by Seyyed Mohammad Sadiq Bahral 'Ulum, Vol. 4, Beirut: Dar al-Adwa', 1407 AH.
  6. Dehkhoda, Ali Akbar, Dehkhoda’s Dictionary, Tehran: University of Tehran, 1326 SH 1947 CE.
  7. Delshad Tehran, Mustafa, Lawh-i Binayi: Tahlil-i Tarikh-i Hokumat-i Imam 'Ali (The Tablet of Vision: Analysis of the History of Imam Ali's Governance), 1393 SH / 2014 CE.
  8. Haggett, Peter, New Combinatorial Geography, Translation: Shapour Goodarzi Nezhad, Vol. 2, Tehran: SAMT, 1373 SH / 1994 CE.
  9. Ibn Abi al-Hadid, 'Izaddin, Jalwah-i Tarikh dar Sharh Nahj al-Balaghah (The Manifestation of History in the Commentary on Nahj al-Balaghah), Translated and Annotated by Mahmoud Mahdavi Damghani, Tehran: Nashr-i Ney, 1367 SH -1379 SH / 1998 CE - 2000 CE.
  10. Ibn Abi al-Hadid, 'Izd al-din, Sharh Nahj al-Balagha (Commentary on Nahj al-Balaghah), Edited by Mohammad Abu al-Fadl Ibrahim, Beirut: Dar Ihya al-Kutub al-Arabiyya, 1385 AH.
  11. Ibn al-Faqih, Ahmad bin Mohammad bin Ishaq al-Hamadhani, Al-Buldan Ma' (The Countries Ma'), Translated by Bonyad Farhang Iran, n.d.
  12. Ibn Battuta, Mohammad bin Abdullah, Translated by Mohammad 'Ali Muahhid, Safarnama Ibn Battuta (The Travelogue of Ibn Battuta), Tehran: Agah, 1376 SH / 1997 CE.
  13. Ibn Khurdadhbeh, Abu al-Qasim 'Abdullah bin 'Abdullah, Al-Masalik wa al-Mamalik (Ibn Khurdadhbih) (The Roads and the Kingdoms (Ibn Khurdadhbih)), Beirut: Dar Sadir Offset Leiden, 1889 CE.
  14. Ibn Manzur, Mohammad bin Mukarram, Lisan al-Arab (The Tongue of the Arabs), Beirut: Dar Sadir, 1375 AH.
  15. Ibn Maytham, Kamal al-Din, Sharh Nahj al-Balagha Ibn Maytham (Commentary on Nahj al-Balagha by Ibn Maytham), Mashhad: Foundation for Islamic Research, 1375 SH / 1996 CE.
  16. Ibn Sa’d, Mohammad bin Saad, Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra (The Great Classes), Beirut: Dar Sadir, 1410 AH.
  17. Ibrahimi, Zainab, Firaq Islami dar Doreh Banu Umayya (Islamic Sects during the Umayyad Period), Research Center of Baqir al-'Ulum, 1393 SH / 2014 CE.
  18. Ignatiyevich Krachkovsky, Yu. Yulianovich, Tarikh-i Nawisḫtahay-i Ǧuġrafiyāyī dar Jahan-i Islami (History of Geographical Writings in the Islamic World), Vol. 1, Scientific and Cultural Publications Company, Tehran, 1379 SH / 2000 CE.
  19. Isṭakḫrī, Ibrāhīm bin Muḥammad, Al-Masalik wa al-Mamalik (The Roads and the Kingdoms), Tehran: Iran National Museum, 1387 SH / 2008 CE.
  20. Ja'fari, Seyyed Hossein, Tashayyu' dar Masir-i Tarikh (Shi'ism in the Course of History), Translated by Seyyed Mohammad Taqi Ayatollahi, Tehran: Daftar-i Nashr-i Farhang-i Islami, 1359 SH / 1980 CE.
  21. Ja'fari, Ya'qub, Historical Insight into Nahj al-Balaghah, Tehran: Daftar-i Nashr-i Farhang-i Islami, 1372 SH / 1993 CE.
  22. Jordan, Terry G. and Revonturi, Lester, Introduction to Cultural Geography, Translated by Simin Tulayi, N.p. n.p., 1380 SH / 2001 CE.
  23. Kamouna Hosseini, Abdul Razzaq, Tombs of the Pure Prophetic Family, Mashhad: Astan Quds Razavi Islamic Research Foundation, 1389 SH / 2010 CE.
  24. Mahdavi, Masoud; Ahmadi, Ali, Cultural Geography: Theoretical Explanation and Methodology for Use in Cultural Regional Studies, 1390 SH / 2011 CE.
  25. Makarem Shirazi, Naser, Imam's Message: A New and Comprehensive Explanation of Nahj al-Balaghah, Tehran: Dar al-Kutub al-Islamiyah, 1375 AH.
  26. Manquri, Nasr bin Mazahim, The Battle of Siffin in History, Translator: Karim Zamani, Tehran: Rasa, 1364 SH / 1985 CE.
  27. Nadim, Mohammad Hassan, The Cultural Origins of Nahj al-Balaghah, Qom: Nashr Adyan, 1384 SH. / 2005 CE
  28. Qazvini, Zakariyya bin Mohammad bin Mahmoud, Athar al-Bilad wa Akhbar al-'Ibad (Monuments of Countries and Accounts of Worshipers), Vol. 1, Amir Kabir - Tehran, 1373 SH / 1994 CE.
  29. Rajabi, Mohammad Hossein, Kufa and Its Role in the Early Islamic Periods, Tehran: Printing and Publishing Institute of Imam Hossein University, 1365 AH.
  30. Rashad, Ali Akbar, Encyclopedia of Imam Ali, Research: Institute for Cultural and Intellectual Studies, Tehran: Contemporary Culture and Thought Institute, 1382 AH.
  31. Razavani, Mohammad Reza; Ahmadi, Ali, “Place and the Role of Culture in Shaping Spatial Identity,” Nameh Pajouhesh -e- Farhangi Quarterly, Volume 3, Number 6, Cultural, Art, and Communication Research Institute, 1388 SH / 2009 CE.
  32. Roh al-Amini, Mahmoud, Foundations of Cultural Studies, 2nd Edition, Tehran: Payam -e- Noor Publishing, 1376 SH / 1997 CE.
  33. Safari, Ne'matullah, Kufa from Its Origin to Ashura, Qom: Masha’r Institute of Cultural and Artistic Studies, 1391 SH / 2012 CE.
  34. Seyyedrezi, Mohammad bin Hossein, Nahj al-Balaghah (Peak of Eloquence), Translation: Seyyed Jafar Shahidi, Tehran: Scientific and Cultural Publishing Company, 1389 SH / 2010 CE.
  35. Shaku'i, Hossein, “Enlightenment Ideas in the Philosophy of Geography,” Vol. 1, Tehran: Gitashenasi, 1375 SH / 1996 CE.
  36. Sharif Razi, Mohammad bin Hossein, Translator: Dashti, Mohammad, Nahj al-Balaghah (Peak of Eloquence), Qom: Mashhoor, 1379 SH / 2000 CE.
  37. Tabari, Abu Ja'far Mohammad bin Jarir, Tarikh al-Umam wa al-Muluk (History of Nations and Kings), Beirut: Al-A’lami Institute for Publications, 1403 AH.
  38. Tabari, Mohammad bin Jarir, Tarikh Tabari (History of Tabari), or Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk (History of the Prophets and Kings), Translation: Abul Qasim Payandeh, Tehran: Asatir, 1362 AH.
  39. Yaqut Hamawi, Shihab al-Din Abu Abdullah bin Abdullah, Mu'jam al-Buldan (Dictionary of Countries), Beirut: Dar Ihya al-Turath al-Arabi, 1399 AH.
  40. Yaqut Hamawi, Yaqut bin Abdullah, Mu'jam al-Buldan (Dictionary of Countries), Translator: Manzavi, Ali Naqi, Tehran: Cultural Heritage Organization of Iran, 1380 SH / 2001 CE.

 

 

11- Pajooheshname Hadith Tatbighee
Volume 10, Issue 18
August 2023
Pages 309-330

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 23 March 2022
  • Revise Date: 08 June 2022
  • Accept Date: 11 June 2022

Share

How to cite

Statistics